DE Myles Garrett (12.1.23)
How’s the shoulder feeling?
“A lot better.”
What was wrong with it?
“I don’t think I’m able to say that. You have to ask the guy who’s coming after me.”
Do you think you have any limitations or restrictions on it?
“Not at the moment. Anything could change the flow of the game, but I’m feeling great right now.”
Myles, everybody always talks about you as a freak of nature because of all the different things that you can do, but to not be able to lift your arm at all on Sunday night, to go from that to being out here today, no injury designation, and be ready to practice on Sunday, is that pretty remarkable?
“I mean, as my PT would say, that Wolverine blood and thanks to other staff here and my health and wellness team, culminated in me getting back on the field sooner than maybe some would have expected and being able to feel good going into this weekend, really, thanks for them.”
Did you ever have any doubt that you’d be able to play Sunday?
“Yeah, Monday maybe. But if I got another shoulder, I’m going to use it. Go off the left side, find a way. Don’t find excuses. Find a way.”
Can you say if maybe it sort of popped back out and popped back in or give any idea of what was going on there on Sunday?
“You know, I can’t say that.”
You sort of went through this last year with that shoulder from the car accident. Pain wise, could you kind of gauge compared to that sort of what you were dealing with even as you got on the plane Sunday?
“It was pretty similar to probably right after the incident, but fortunately we hopped on it. Quick mealy, got resources around me, team around me, and we got to work on it. But obviously, as you saw, it was painful.”
Myles, Aaron Donald is one of those guys talking about modern D line and one of the best to ever do it, I guess. Just what are your thoughts on him, he came to the league about four years before you. What are your Aaron Donald thoughts?
“I mean, the man needs no more adjectives or descriptors. You say he’s one of the best to ever do it in any position. So, he’s a dominant force. Every time you step on the field, you have to account for him with more than one man. Everyone has to have a plan to address this guy. Just longevity, which he’s doing it. He’s been doing it since he came into the league till now. And he’s fun to watch.”
There was a time for people to just call him and would say he was the best player in football, but he would never win the MVP or anything like that. Why do you think it’s so hard for guys like him? Defensive lineman, JJ (Watt).
“We don’t score a touchdown. We’re not directly correlated to the points unless you pick up a fumble and you score it or you catch a pick, you get a strip sack and scoop it up. Whatever it is, you’re not in complete control of the game pretty much every play, like a quarterback is. Always going to be held against us. As much as we do our best to stop what the opposing offense doing, what the opposing quarterback is doing, taking them out the game, they continue to get the votes. But if a quarterback is having a great year, that’s understandable. Defensive player is having a good year or a great year, he should be respected and treated with the same kind of praise.”
Myles, you guys have been really good on defense all year. Most of the down moments have been on the road. Is there anything to that or is that just how it’s happened?
“I think it just correlates to us going against some great rushing teams and not being as aggressive as we need to be against the run early and then being able to keep their playbook a little bit too open and I don’t think it’s a matter of focus just being able to have that aggression from the jump. And I don’t know if we play into the crowd, we’re playing to the momentum early on, but I think we need to lock in and be ready from the coin toss.”
What have you seen out of (Joe) Flacco?
“He looks good. The guy still has a rocket for an arm and just like the guy we’re playing, he’s not leaving the pocket if he don’t have to. He’s delivering from there and that’s all we’ll be able to do.”
Myles, you mentioned that this felt sort of similar to how it felt after the accident. Is this still sort of related back to the accident, what’s going on right now?
“I wouldn’t say so. No. ”
With Joe (Flacco) starting at quarterback, does that increase the pressure or urgency on the defense to go out and play well?
“No, standard is the standard, doesn’t change whoever’s in the back. So, we’re going to continue to do our thing. Like I said, our urgency is just starting fast because that’s something that we need to be better at. Other than that, we’re going to keep on, continue to play our game.”
Myles, how nice is it to have AWalk (Anthony Walker) back. Do you feel like you missed his communication last week and it kind of gives you a boost to have him back?
“Yeah, I mean, always where he’s supposed to be, great communicator, great leader on the field and helps guide the troops, turns the wagons. Whenever he’s out there, we’re better.
How about (Matthew) Stafford? I know you mentioned him briefly, but just how well is Matt playing and what makes him so?
“One of the first guys to just throw from any arm angle out the pocket. He’s as tough as they come guys. Definitely can’t be downplayed at all. He can dime any part of the field. No matter what age he is, he’s able to make big plays for his team. And he wants to stay in the pocket, but if he isn’t, he gets chased out and he’s still making plays on the field.”
What was that conversation like for you to be able to talk to Jerry West if you can? What were some of the things he kind of shared with you?
“I mean, it was an honor to talk to legends of any sport, but especially, you know, huge in this community, done so much for LA. Not only through his play, but for himself as an executive and making the right decisions, being great with people and being a great person. Talking about success, what winning looks like, what it takes, and how we can transition when it’s all said and done, how to move on. But hopefully got a lot of things from that.”
Make it to the Lakers game on Saturday?
“Nope.”
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